There once was a single name for a complicated concept, Artificial Intelligence. Today, engineers and scientists talk about various AI applications. Digital AI, for example. Or Physical AI, a category where Black-I Robotics shines. Physical AI refers to the application of artificial intelligence to robots that interact with the real world, autonomous robots with “eyes” to see and “hands” to grasp and manipulate. In other words, Physical AI is synonymous with “getting important things done” whatever the environment. Good examples of Physical AI include robots working with physicians to perform surgery or, in Black-I’s case, building mixed case pallets in a warehouse or loading bulky, shape-shifting packages into cartons for shipment to customers.

The ingredients that go into Physical AI endow robots with the intelligence to perceive, reason, and act within the physical domain. This concept extends beyond simple automation seen, say, on an automobile assembly line with fixed robots programmed to perform simple tasks all day long. On the contrary, Physical AI equips robots with a range of cameras, lidars, computers and other sensors to encompass true autonomy, safe movement, path planning and learning in dynamic, unstructured environments.

Our proprietary robot, for example, features state-of-the-art vision that enables the robot to see its surroundings over a 360 degrees radius while handling loads of 130 pounds or more. It also enables the system to identify, and pick, a wide variety of items within a warehouse or manufacturing plant, including cardboard boxes, totes, tote lids, pet food bags, sand bags, deformed bags and other objects. Most importantly, it establishes a security perimeter keeping humans in a dynamic workplace safe. It can distinguish a human from other objects and shut down immediately when it senses a worker in its path.

Some 1,45 million workers are involved in mixed case palletization alone in North America. They represent a massive expense. Ironically, many companies can’t find enough workers. There’s a huge shortfall of workers who are willing to move boxes and pallets all day long. Either way, productivity takes a hit. Our solution to the issue makes us a double duty Physical AI player. AMRs, integrated with our mobile arm, are the perfect solution to a supply chain needing to dramatically improve its productivity.